Causes
When gastric mucosa is damaged, one or more of these may form
What are peptic ulcers?
The medical term for dark stools indicative of an upper GI bleed
What is melena?
A class of medications often ending in “-prazole”
What are proton pump inhibitors?
If a patient takes this type of OTC medication regularly, it may contribute to peptic ulcer disease
What are NSAIDs?
If a patient’s ulcer becomes a gastric outlet obstruction, they may need one of these
What is an NG tube?
Patients should stop this for many reasons, but it is a leading cause of peptic ulcers and other stomach diseases
What is smoking?
Emesis containing blood often looks like this
What are coffee grounds?
Sucralfate helps to prevent ulcers by working on what?
What is the mucosal barrier of the stomach?
Extreme hot/cold foods, spices, coffee, and alcohol
What are GI irritants/foods to avoid?
Type of procedure which looks at the upper structures of the GI tract
These overdilated vessels can be a common cause of upper GI bleeding
What are Esophageal varices?
Word meaning “hidden”, used in reference to a diagnostic stool test
What is occult?
When taking any medication to decrease stomach acid, what is the patient at a greater risk for?
What is C. diff?
When a patient has indications for a possible GI bleed, this is the type of diet they’ll be on at first
What is NPO?
A vagotomy might help decrease gastric acid, but it can lead to this uncomfortable condition
What is dumping syndrome?
The type of bacteria that is the most common cause of peptic ulcers
What is H. Pylori?
Pain from this type of ulcer may wake the patient at night
What is a duodenal ulcer?
Budesonide, sulfasalazine, and azathroprine are all used for which class of gastrointestinal diseases?
What is inflammatory bowel disease?
(What are chron‘s/ulcerative colitis?)
In severe cases of GI bleeding, this may be ordered by the physician to give the GI system rest
What is TPN?
Procedure where a medication to harden blood vessels is injected
What is sclerotherapy?
This autoimmune disorder is characterized by abdominal pain and frequent episodes of diarrhea containing blood
What is ulcerative colitis?
Tachycardia and dizziness are early signs that a patient may be developing this, related to bleeding
What is shock?
First-line medication to vasoconstrict during episodes of variceal bleeding
What is octreotide?
Three nursing diagnoses related to GI bleeding.... ready GO!
What is:
Imbalanced nutrition, Knowledge deficit, activity imbalance, fluid volume deficit, acute pain, ineffective coping, risk for ineffective therapeutic management
A procedure where ligature is used to stop bleeding varices
What is esophageal banding?